Believe it or not, the holidays are upon us and it’s time to make decisions on what to do for Thanksgiving. (Yeah, we’re freaking out, too.)

Are you dining out? Cooking at home? Hosting a potluck? Letting someone else do the cooking and bringing home prepared foods? Some combination of all the above?

Here’s some help in taking the pressure off these decisions. Below is a list, arranged by category, of restaurants and retailers that have contacted us with their Thanksgiving offerings and specials. We’ve got resources for everything from the wine to the bird. Note that prices stated do not include tax and gratuity.

Check back regularly, as we’ll be updating this list as we receive more information. Please note that many restaurant deadlines for to-go orders are imminent and it’s better to place those sooner rather than later.

(Restaurants and retailers: to be considered for the list, please email us. Thanks!)

Bistro Provence, 13616 Memorial: Call 713-827-8008 to make reservations at this well-established eatery for an early Thanksgiving dinner with French flair. The meal will be served between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and the cost is a very reasonable $33 per adult and $12 per child 12 and under. A $20 PayPal deposit is required to hold the reservation. Some of the delectable-sounding options include Pumpkin Soup with Roasted Pumpkin Seeds and Roulade of Free-Range and Organic Turkey Breast with Sage and Corn Stuffing. Of course there’s pumpkin pie, but a more interesting choice is the Chocolate and Cinnamon Bread Pudding.

Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith. For Thanksgiving with a touch of Creole, visit Brennan’s of Houston for a $60, three-course meal with a special treat at the beginning. Each guest will start with a Fairytale Pumpkin Profiterole Lagniappe. Then, there are some tough choices, like choosing from nine tasty appetizers such as the classic turtle soup with sherry and the Hunter’s Duck Fricasse Crepe Stewed with Indian Creek Oyster Mushrooms, Creole Vegetables, Ripped Herbs and Bird Dog Whiskey. The turkey option is Creole-style, of course, with Dirty Rice Country Dressing, Abbeville Molasses Roasted Sweet Potato, Lemon Broccolini, Cognac Gravy, and Cranberry Satsuma Chutney alongside. Call 713-522-9711 to reserve.

Holley’s Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar, 3201 Louisiana: From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Holley’s is offering a prix fixe, three-course menu that is $60 for adults and $30 for kids. Starter choices include the LH Gumbo (one of Houston’s finest), a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings and the spectacular Down South Coconut Cake with spiced pecans and caramel sauce. Check out the full menu online and call 713-491-2222 to reserve.

Hubbell & Hudson Bistro, 24 Waterway Avenue, The Woodlands: Chef Austin Simmons and his staff are serving a three-course Thanksgiving Dinner all day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Traditionalists can get exactly what they want with a choice of a white meat or a dark meat turkey dinner, each with their own carefully selected sides. Check out all the course options online. To make reservations, call (281) 203-5641 or visit OpenTable.

La Table, 1800 Post Oak: Thanksgiving dinner is served from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and, based on the menu, it sure doesn’t look like anyone is going to leave hungry. The cost is $85 for adults and $39 for children. Time your visit right and score a view of the Thanksgiving Day parade, or visit later and witness the Uptown Houston tree lighting ceremony along Post Oak Boulevard at 7 p.m. La Table is also offering take-out Thanksgiving dinner for 12 people for $395. It can even be delivered within 10 miles for an extra $25. See the full menu online.

Rainbow Lodge, 2011 Ella: Dine out for Thanksgiving and still have a late-night turkey snack! Guests only need to ask for a “snack pack” when dining in at Rainbow Lodge. For $5, they’ll receive the ingredients to make a sandwich with turkey, dressing and gravy. As far as the meal itself, it’s $58 per person plus tax and gratuity. Starter choices include the Trio of Wild Game with Crispy Sweetbreads with Smoked Mushrooms, Grilled Buffalo on Roasted Pumpkin Grits and Seared North American Elk with Fig Preserves. From there, diners might choose turkey or aim instead for the Rainbow Trout with Lump Crab and Pecan Brown Butter. Dessert selections include Pumpkin Pie with Toasted Marshmallow Cream Butter Crust and Cinnamon Milk Caramel. For reservations, call 713-861-8666 or just go online. There is also an extensive take-out menu that’s available through the holiday season. 24 hour notice is required.

Sud Italia, 2347 University. A three-course Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings will be served at Sud Italia between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. for only $35. The cost is $15 for kids 10 and under. Course selections include butternut squash soup, sliced turkey breast with chestnut dressing, candied yams and mashed potatoes. Wrap up the meal with either housemade pumpkin or pecan pie. Call (713) 664-7571 or reserve online.

TAKE OUT

Backstreet Cafe, 1103 South Shepherd: You can worry about the turkey and Backstreet Cafe can supply just about everything else, including soups, sides and sweets. Their stuffed acorn squash, roasted root vegetables and pumpkin cheesecake will look lovely on any table. Orders should be placed by Monday, November 21 for pick-up on Wednesday, November 23. Call (713) 521-2239 or print, fill out, scan and email the order form. can be found at www.backstreetcafe.net.

Ciao Bello, 5161 San Felipe: You’ve got until Monday, November 21 at 1 p.m. to place an order for a Thanksgiving meal at Tony and Donna Vallone’s casual Italian restaurant. The full-fledged dinner includes sliced turkey, gravy, cornbread stuffing, green beans, bread and pie. Choose between mashed and sweet potatoes. Dinner for up to six people is $174.95. Want to make it really special? Add a tray of lasagna!

Dish Society, 5740 San Felipe and 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard, Katy: When it comes to choosing your battles, perhaps making sides and salads for Thanksgiving is not one of them. Dish Society is ready to take care of that (and also has several main dishes to choose from as well). For sides, choose from Balsamic Bacon Brussels Sprouts, Truffled Mac ’n’ Cheese and Mashed Sweet Potatoes. The salad options are Super Brussels Sprout Salad and Wine-Poached Apple Pecan Salad. Check out the full catering menu online.

El Burro & The Bull, 1010 Prairie: If you want your Thanksgiving dishes tinged with smoky goodness, check out El Burro & The Bull’s menu online. The heartiest option is Best of the Bird Plus, a $200 meal that serves 15 to 18 people. Included are two turkey breasts, four turkey legs, three half-trays of sides. Or, go Texas-style and aim for a whole brisket ($125 and serves 15 to 18) or rack of ribs ($40, serves six to eight) Side order choices are the kind of options one might expect from a barbecue place: cole slaw, potato salad and creamed corn, among others. Call 713-503-2299 to order.

Hugo’s, 1602 Westheimer: Spice up Thanksgiving with authentic regional Mexican cuisine from multiple-time James Beard nominee Hugo Ortega. Start with Red Snapper Ceviche with Totopos (toasted tortilla triangles), work your way up to hearty Chile Rellenos de Carne Guisada then get to a sweet finish with a Mexican-style chocolate tart made with in-house roasted, ground and sweetened cacao beans spiced with cinnamon. Get your order in no later than November 21 for pick-up on Wednesday, November 23. Call 713-524-7744 or fill out, scan and email the online order form.

Kenny & Ziggy’s, 2327 Post Oak Boulevard: Do you have a huge crowd to feed? The Galleria location of Kenny & Ziggy’s can put together a feast that will feed 14 to 16 people. It includes a 20-pound while turkey (precooked weight; slicing available for 75 cents a pound), two nine-inch pans of Wild Mushroom & Chestnut Stuffing, two quarts of housemade gravy, one quart of Cranberry Compote with nuts and pineapple and a gorgeous “Mile High” Apple Pie. In addition, add two sides of your choice. Choose from several different options, including Spinach, Onion & Leek Kugel, Yucatan Corn Pudding, Jeanne’s Carrot Souffle and much more. The cost of the full dinner is $260 plus tax. There are several different kinds of hors d’oeuvres, soups, salads and more that can be added to the order as well. If you’re interested, act today. Orders must be placed by November 17 for pick up before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23 when the restaurant closes for the holiday. It will reopen on November 25. View the whole Thanksgiving takeout menu online for a full list of choices.

Phoenicia Specialty Foods, 1001 Austin and 12141 Westheimer: Pick up your choice of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner or a Phoenicia-style feast. The traditional comes with with a whole roasted turkey with citrus, garlic and sides while the more adventuresome option includes a whole Halal turkey dressed with harissa olive oil rub and sides inspired by cuisines from around the world. There’s baklava for dessert; a welcome sight for those who don’t like pumpkin pie. For pricing, check out the special holiday catering menu online.

Ouisie’s Table, 3939 San Felipe: You have until Thursday, November 17 to place an order for a big, fancy feast from this Southern staple in River Oaks. The entrée choices are Garlic and Pepper-Crusted Beef Prime Rib ($350, serves 15-20), honey-glazed ham ($175, serves 20-25) or roasted turkey and gravy ($175, serves 10-12). All come with two sides and one dessert. Side dish choices are green beans, Lobster Mashed Potatoes, corn bread dressing, cranberry sauce, mixed grilled vegetables, macaroni and Cheese, wild rice with shallots or Stilton Salad. Sides can also be also ordered a la carte for $50 each and serve 10-12 people. Also available are individually ordered desserts and a variety of breads. All orders must be picked up on Wednesday, November 23.

Underbelly, 1100 Westheimer: As is traditional, Underbelly is closed on Thanksgiving but offering a really interesting array of James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd’s main courses, sides and desserts to take home. View all the selections online. Orders must be received by Sunday, November 20. Some of our top picks include the Pork Belly Creamed Mustard Greens, Sorghum Glazed Charred Carrots, the Shepherd Family Rum Sausage and, of course, the odd-sounding but tartly satisfying Vinegar Pie.

TAMALES

Tamales are a meaningful part of winter holiday celebrations here in South Texas. Here are some places where they are available for purchase by the dozen.

The Turkey Tamales are back at Berryhill Baja Grill.

Berryhill Baja Grill (various locations): The local chain is bringing back their turkey tamales for the season and the year-round selections of beef, pork and spinach with roasted corn are available, too. A dozen is $14.99 and a half-dozen is $9.99. Call your local Berryhill to order.

(Author’s note: Who orders a half dozen of tamales? Just freeze the leftover ones and enjoy later.)

Cyclone Anaya’s (various locations): Call any Cyclone Anaya’s or conveniently order their tamales online. Orders must be received by Tuesday, November 22nd to be ready in time for Thanksgiving Day. There are three types available: pork with chili gravy, spinach and Mexican cheese with Chardonnay cream sauce and chicken with spicy tomatillo sauce. The cost is $19 per dozen.

El Burro & The Bull, 1010 Prairie: In addition to the other Thanksgiving take-out items mentioned above, there are also four different kinds of tamales to choose from: Smoked Brisket, Smoked Pork, Smoked Green Chili & Cheese and Refried Bean and Cheese. Owner Veronica Avila says the secret to their flavorful tamales is that the masa is made with smoked beef tallow and not pork lard. Price per dozen ranges from $14 to $18 and the tamales are also available by the half dozen.

Molina’s Cantina, various locations: For a limited time, a dozen pork tamales are just $10.95 a dozen, which is $2 off regular price. Call the location nearest you to order.

Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, 6401 Woodway, 12637 Westheimer and 1140 Eldridge Pkwy: Sylvia Casares’ famous tamales are available by the dozen for $18. Choose pork or chicken. Customers who order $50 or more get ten percent off. Make a full Tex-Mex feast by adding fajitas, chile con queso, chips and salsa and other items to the order. (See the full catering menu online.) To place an order, call one of the three locations. Thanksgiving orders must be in by Monday, November 21.

We know what you really love about Thanksgiving. It’s the pie, isn’t it? Here are a few places for some way above-average selections.

Fluff Bake Bar, 314 Gray: Pastry chef Rebecca Masson has a big hit on her hands last year with her Mountain Rose Apple Pie. Well, it’s back this year. Because the apples are hard to find, quantities of this particular pie are limited and the cost is $39. However, there are other flavors available if it sells out, including, Dutch Apple, Pecan, Chocolate Cream and Pumpkin. Prices range between $25 and $28. The easiest way to order is online and pick up is Tuesday, November 22 between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. or Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Ooh La La Dessert Boutique, three locations: Call any Ooh La La Dessert Boutique location to place an order for your choice of pie: Pumpkin, Pecan, Apple and Bourbon Bread Pudding Pie. You can also serve something a little more unusual for Thanksgiving, such as a blueberry cobbler, decorated shortbread cookies, a pumpkin roll or pumpkin cheesecake. Pro tip: The Cinco Ranch location has a drive-thru! There’s a gallery of Thanksgiving desserts online to help with all the choices.

Triniti, 2815 South Shepherd: You’ve only got until Friday to place your order for a pie from pastry chef Caroline Ramirez. The choices are apple, pumpkin, pecan and Peanut Butter & Jelly. Each costs $25. Pie pickup is available starting on Wednesday, November 23 at 2 p.m. To order, call Triniti at (713) 527-9090.

Weights + Measures, 2808 Caroline: Choose from the spirit-infused Wild Turkey Chocolate Pecan, Pumpkin Pecan, Apple and Pumpkin (or just get one of each—we don’t judge). Other dessert options include Max’s “Famous” Carrot Cake and Apricot Pistachio Bread Pudding. Side dishes are available as well, including Sweet Potato Souffle and Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread. Orders must be received by Nov 20th for pick-up on the 23rd. Click here to look at the entire menu, then call (713) 654-1970 to order. There will be a few pies available for drop-ins as well.

WINE

Have you considered what you’re serving to drink alongside the Thanksgiving meal? If not, here are a few places that want to help you make some wine selections.

Camerata at Paulie’s, 1834 Westheimer: Just in time for the holidays, wine bar Camerata is hosting its annual sale on November 20. It’s great not only for picking up wines for the Thanksgiving table but also as holiday gifts. Special selections include Vouette et Sorbée’s Fidèle, a blanc de noirs made with Pinot Noir and Blanc d’Argile, a blanc de blancs made with Chardonnay. Several selections will be available to taste before purchase. The sale runs from 2 to 6 p.m.

French Country Wines, 3736 Westheimer: On Saturday, November 19, French Country Wines is hosting is usual Saturday tasting from noon to 6 p.m. This is a great opportunity to try before you buy. Show up between 2 and 4 p.m. and Frank’s American Revival will also offer samples of Frank’s Roast Turkey Breast with Dried Cranberry & Thyme Pan Jus, Jalapeno Sage Cornbread Dressing, Green Bean Casserole and Pumpkin Pie. So, it’s an opportunity to also consider Frank’s Thanksgiving take-out offerings. Even if you are cooking at home, though, the samples will help you get an idea as to how wines pairs with traditional Thanksgiving dishes. Seems like a great idea to us.

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Comments (2)

Are you a fan of Pico’s tamale stand? I see it this time of year and wonder if that is where to stop and buy for the holiday crowd. Stopping there would be more convenient for me, but I want a recommendation first.

Hi Sue! Good to hear from you. Yes, I’m a fan of Picos as well. We just haven’t received any info so far on their offerings this year but I did drop by the stand the first year they offered it at the Kirby location. They have several different varieties to choose from.

One word of advice: don’t wait until the last minute as they will sell out of their most popular flavors the day before the holiday.